JPH0785201A - Bar code input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a bar code input device capable of correctly and easily inputting valid data to be used as bar code data for each standard of the bar code and improving the using efficiency of a bar code printing function. CONSTITUTION:When a bar code key is depressed, a picture for selecting a bar code standard is displayed on a CRT display, and the bar code standard is selected by a cursor moving key and an execution key, the name of the selected standard is displayed on a standard name display area and an input picture including valid data corresponding to the standard bar code selected from a valid data table is displayed on a data display area. When the cursor moving key is depressed, a cursor is moved to a required valid code and then the execution key is depressed, valid data specified by the cursor are inputted as bar code data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bar code input device, and more particularly to a device for displaying effective data used as bar code data on a display for each selected bar code standard.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, bar codes are being widely used as article identification codes for a wide variety of articles and are printed on packaging bags, labels, etc. of each article. This barcode has CODE39, CODE128, UPC-A, UP
CE, JAN (Japan Article Number), EAN-1
There are many bar code standards such as 3 (Europe Article Number-13), and the bar code of the optimum bar code standard is used for each product.

By the way, in the UPC-A bar code standard, the bar code data is from "0" to
Only the number "9" can be used. In the CODE39 bar code standard, as bar code data,
In addition to the numbers "0-9", the alphabetic characters "A-
Z ”,“ a to z ”can be used, and CODE12
In the bar code standard of No. 8, as the bar code data, these numbers “0 to 9” and alphabet letters “A to
In addition to "Z" and "az", control codes such as ASCII code (NUL, ACK, ES) are used.
C ... "can be used.

In order to print a bar code, the bar code standard is first selected, and the bar code data that can be used for the bar code standard is input by a special bar code input device and printed by a dot printing printer. It is supposed to do. By the way, the applicant of the present application puts into practice a tape printing device capable of printing characters and symbols on a tape as a printing medium, while making it possible to input barcode data in addition to characters and symbols from a keyboard. Practical use of a tape printer with a function to print mixed symbols and barcodes (Japanese Patent Application No. 3-3
No. 60470).

[0005]

As described above, in a tape printer capable of bar code printing, especially for an operator who has no knowledge of bar codes, the bar code standard and the effective bar code standard are used. There is a problem that the barcode printing function cannot be used effectively because the relation with the data is unknown. Regarding UPC-A and CODE39 as bar code standards, bar code data can be entered by combining the numeric keys, alphabetic keys, and symbol keys provided on the keyboard, but regarding the CODE128 bar code standard, , Control codes such as "NUL, ACK, ESC ..." are not provided as keys on the keyboard and often cannot be easily input.
There is a problem that the barcode standard of No. 8 cannot be effectively used.

An object of the present invention is to input effective data used as bar code data accurately and easily for each bar code standard and to improve the utilization efficiency of the bar code printing function. It is to provide a device.

[0007]

A bar code input device according to a first aspect of the present invention, as shown by a solid line in the functional block diagram of FIG.
A bar code input device including an input device capable of inputting character and symbol data, a data storage unit for storing bar code data input by the input device, and a display unit including a display. For each of the code standards, effective data storage means for pre-storing effective data consisting of a plurality of character and symbol codes used as bar code data and a plurality of control codes by grouping for each bar code standard. , Selecting means for selecting one of a plurality of bar code standards, and receiving the data of the standard selected by the selecting means, and reading all the valid data of the bar code of the standard from the valid data storage means. And effective data display control means for displaying on the display of the display means.

Further, as shown by the solid two-dot chain line in the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, each of the plurality of valid data displayed on the display is selected via the cursor on the display and stored in the data storage means. You may make it the structure provided with the barcode data input means.

[0009]

In the bar code input device according to the present invention, the valid data storage means has a plurality of character and symbol codes and a plurality of control codes used as bar code data for each of a plurality of bar code standards. Since the valid data consisting of and are stored in advance by grouping for each bar code standard, when one of the bar code standards is selected by the selecting means, the valid data display control means Upon receiving the data of the standard selected by the selection means, all valid data of the bar code of the standard is read from the valid data storage means and displayed on the display of the display means. As a result, the display of the display means
Since the valid data of the bar code of the selected standard is displayed, the bar code data input via this display is stored in the data storage means.

As described above, every time when the bar code standard is selected, all the valid data of the selected standard is displayed on the display. Therefore, the valid data used as the bar code data is changed to the bar code standard. It can be input accurately and easily every time, and the utilization efficiency of the bar code printing function can be improved.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is a case where the present invention is applied to an English-only tape printer capable of inputting a large number of characters such as alphabetic characters and symbols and barcode data and printing them on a printing tape. As shown in FIG.
The tape printer 1 includes a CRT display 3 capable of displaying characters and symbols for a plurality of lines, a keyboard 4, and a control body 5 (corresponding to a bar code input device) 2, and a data generator. It comprises a printer 6 connected to the control body 5 of the device 2 by a connecting line L. Here, the CRT display 3 and the keyboard 4 are connected to the control main body section 5 via connection lines, respectively.

The keyboard 4 includes character keys for inputting alphabets, numbers and symbols, a space key, a return key, a cursor movement key for moving the cursor vertically and horizontally, and a size setting key for setting the size of a print character. There are bar code keys for entering bar code data, type setting keys for setting the type of print characters, execution keys for executing various editing processes and end keys for finishing, and print keys for executing printing. There is.

The printing mechanism PM built in the printer 6 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 3. A rectangular tape storage cassette CS is detachably attached to the printing mechanism PM. In the cassette CS, a tape spool 9 around which a printing tape 8 made of a transparent film and having a width of about 24 mm is wound, a ribbon supply spool 11 around which an ink ribbon 10 is wound, and the ink ribbon 1
A take-up spool 12 for winding 0, a supply spool 14 in which a double-sided tape 13 having the same width as the printing tape 8 is wound with the release paper outside, and the printing tape 8 and the double-sided tape 13 are joined together. The joining roller 15 for rotating is provided rotatably.

A thermal head 16 is provided upright at a position where the printing tape 8 and the ink ribbon 10 overlap each other, and a platen roller 17 for pressing the printing tape 8 and the ink ribbon 10 against the thermal head 16 and a printing head. Tape 8
A feed roller 18 that presses the double-sided tape 13 against the joining roller 15 is rotatably supported by a support body 19 that is rotatably attached to the frame of the printer 6. In this thermal head 16, a heating element group consisting of 128 heating elements is vertically arranged in a row.

Therefore, when the tape feed motor 50 (see FIG. 4) is driven in the predetermined rotation direction, the joining roller 15 and the take-up spool 12 are driven in synchronism with each other in the predetermined rotation direction, and the heating elements are energized. At this time, characters are printed on the printing tape 8 by a plurality of dot rows, and the printing tape 8 is fed in the tape feeding direction A with the double-sided tape 13 joined, and as shown in FIG. 6 is sent out. For details of the printing mechanism PM, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-106555.

As the tape accommodating cassette CS, five kinds of cassettes CS accommodating the printing tapes 8 having tape widths of 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, 18 mm and 24 mm are prepared. The bottom wall is provided with any one of the first to third projecting pieces 20 to 22 in combination. Then, on the frame of the printer 6, the first protruding piece to the third protruding piece 2 are provided.
A tape width sensor 53 (see FIG. 4) including a photo interrupter for detecting the presence or absence of 0 to 22 is attached.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, three projecting pieces 20 to 22 are attached to a tape storage cassette CS which stores a printing tape 8 having a tape width of 24 mm. However, although not shown, in the tape storage cassette CS that stores the printing tape 8 having a tape width of 18 mm,
Only the first and second protruding pieces 20 and 21 are attached, and only the first and third protruding pieces 20 and 22 are attached to the tape storage cassette CS that stores the printing tape 8 having a tape width of 12 mm. Only the first projecting piece 20 is attached to the tape storage cassette CS that stores the printing tape 8 having a tape width of 9 mm, and the printing tape 8 having a tape width of 6 mm is attached.
Only the second and third projecting pieces 21 and 22 are attached to the tape storage cassette CS storing therein.

Next, the control system of the tape printer 1 is shown in FIG.
The block diagram of FIG. First, the control system of the data creation device 2 will be described. A CRT having a keyboard (K / B) 4 and a display RAM for outputting display data to a CRT display (CRTD) 3.
A display controller (CRTC) 30 and a floppy disk drive (FD) provided in the control body 5
D) 31 is a floppy disk drive controller (FDC) 32, and the input / output interface (input / output I / F) 3 of the control device C1 provided in the control main body 5
6 are connected respectively.

The control device C1 includes a CPU 33 and the CP.
An input / output interface 36 connected to the U33 via a bus 38 such as a data bus, a communication interface (I / F) 37, and a hard disk drive controller (HDC) for a hard disk drive device (HDD) 34 equipped with a hard disk. ) 35 and RAM4
It is composed of 0 and 0.

In the hard disk, a display pattern data memory in which dot pattern data for display is stored in association with code data for each of a large number of characters, and for each of a large number of characters in order to print a character, The outline data that defines the outline of the character (outline data) is classified by typeface (Gothic typeface, Mincho typeface, etc.) and stored in association with the code data. CRT display controller 30 corresponding to character code data such as numbers, numbers and symbols
A display drive control program, an image development control program for converting outline data corresponding to each code data of the text memory 41 of the RAM 40 into dot pattern data and outputting the dot pattern data to the printer 6, and a tape printing control described later specific to the present application. Stores control programs, etc.

Further, in the hard disk, based on a plurality of valid data stored in the text memory 41, bar codes corresponding to bar code standards "CODE 128", "CODE 39", and "UPC-A", respectively. A bar code data conversion processing control program for converting into the data of is stored.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the hard disk is provided with a bar code for each of the three bar code standards "CODE 128", "CODE 39" and "UPC-A" which can be printed by the printer 1. Effective data consisting of multiple characters and symbols used as code data and multiple control codes,
An effective data table TB stored by grouping by barcode standards is stored. That is, in this effective data table TB, the bar code standard "CODE 128"
Then, the numbers "0-9" and the alphabet letters "A-
Z, az ”and the symbols“!, #, $,% ... ”,
Multiple control codes "NUL, SOH, STX, ETX, ...
.) Are grouped, and in the bar code standard “CODE 39”, numbers “0 to 9”, alphabetic characters “A to Z, a to z”, and symbols “$,%, &,
Effective data consisting of (,) ... "are grouped, and in the bar code standard" UPC-A ", the numbers" 0 "
Effective data consisting of "9" are grouped and stored respectively.

A text memory (corresponding to data storage means) 41 of the RAM 40 stores document data input from the keyboard 4 and valid data for a bar code. The print format memory 42 stores a plurality of print format information such as set character size data and typeface number data. The print buffer 43 stores dot pattern data for printing characters and symbols that have been image-developed. The work memory 44 temporarily stores data necessary for data processing.

Next, the control system of the printer 6 will be described. The drive circuit 5 for driving the thermal head 16
2 and a drive circuit 5 for driving the tape feed motor 50
1 and the tape width sensor 53 are connected to an input / output interface (input / output I / F) 57 of the control device C2. The control device C2 includes the CPU 54 and the CPU 54.
And an input / output interface 57 connected via a bus 59 such as a data bus to a communication interface (I
/ F) 58, ROM 55, and RAM 56.

The ROM 55 stores a print drive control program for driving the thermal head 16 and the tape feed motor 50 based on the dot pattern data transmitted from the data creating device 2. In the RAM 56, a reception buffer for receiving and storing the dot pattern data transmitted from the data creating device 2 via the communication interface 58, and various memories for temporarily storing the calculation result calculated by the CPU 54. Etc. are provided.

Next, the tape print control routine executed by the controller C1 of the data creating device 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
Description will be made based on the schematic flowchart of FIG. 7. In the figure, reference numeral Si (i = 10, 11, 12, ...) Indicates each step.

When the power is turned on, this control is started,
When a printable key such as an alphabet key, a symbol key, or a numeric key is operated (S10 / S11: Yes), a document data input process of storing the input code data as document data in the text memory 41 of the RAM 40 is executed. At the same time, the display process of displaying the character corresponding to the code data on the CRT display 3 is executed (S12), and the process returns to S10.

Next, when the bar code key is operated to input the valid data of the bar code (S10: Yes
, S11: No, S13: Yes) and bar code data input processing control (see FIG. 7) are executed (S14). When this control is started, first the bar code standard selection screen is displayed on the CRT.
It is displayed on the display 3 (S20). For example, the three standard names "CODE 128", "CODE 39", and "UPC-A" are CR
It is displayed on the T display 3. Next, after operating the cursor movement key to move the cursor to a desired standard name, the execute key is operated and the barcode standard selecting process is executed via the cursor (S21).

When the bar code standard selected via the cursor is "UPC-A" (S22: Yes), the standard "UPC-A" selected from the valid data table TB is selected.
All the valid data of the bar code of "" are read, and the input screen including these valid data is displayed on the CRT display 3 (S23). For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the selected standard name "UPC-A" is displayed in the standard name display area E1, and the valid data display area E2 corresponds to this standard "UPC-A". Then, all the valid data read out, that is, the numbers "0 to 9" are displayed. At this time, the cursor K1 is displayed at the number "0", which is the first valid data. Reference numeral E3 is a barcode data display area for displaying the selected and input barcode data, and reference numeral K2 is the barcode data display area E.
It is a mini cursor for indicating the input position of 3.

Next, when the cursor movement key is operated (S27 / S28: Yes), the cursor K1 is moved in the direction indicated by the cursor movement key, that is, rightward or leftward, depending on the type of the operated cursor movement key. Is moved by one digit (S2
9) and returns to S27. Then, when the execution key is operated (S27: Yes, S28: No, S30: Yes), the code of the valid data designated by the cursor K1 is the text memory 4
1 (S31), the valid data is displayed in the barcode data display area E3 designated by the mini-cursor K2 (S32), and the process returns to S27. For example, when three valid data "1", "2" and "3" are selected, the barcode data "123" is displayed in the barcode data display area E3.
Is displayed (see FIG. 8).

When the end key is operated (S
27: Yes, S28 ・ 30: No, S33: Yes), and end processing such as deleting the input screen for the barcode is executed (S
34) and terminates this control, and returns to S10 of tape printing control. By the way, when the bar code standard "CODE 39" is selected with the cursor via the display of the bar code standard selection screen (S22: No, S24: Yes), the standard "CODE selected from the valid data table TB is selected. 39 "
All the valid data of the bar code are read out, and the input screen including these valid data is displayed on the CRT display 3 (S25).

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the selected standard "CODE39" is displayed in the standard name display area E1 and the standard "CO3" is displayed in the valid data display area E2.
All valid data read corresponding to "DE 39", that is, the numbers "0-9" and the alphabetic characters "A-Z, a-
"z" and the symbols "$,%, &, (,) ...". At this time, the cursor K1 is displayed at the number "0", which is the first valid data. And likewise S
27 to S32 are repeatedly executed to input the barcode data, and when the end key is operated, the process returns to S10. For example, valid data “A”, “B”, “C”,
When "2" or "0" is selected, the barcode data "ABC20" is stored in the text memory 41 and displayed in the barcode data display area E3 (see FIG. 9).

On the other hand, when the bar code standard "CODE 128" is selected by the cursor through the display of the bar code standard selection screen (S22 / S24: No), the standard "" selected from the valid data table TB is displayed. All the valid data of the bar code of "CODE 128" is read, and the input screen including these valid data is displayed on the CRT display 3 (S
26). However, for each of the plurality of control codes, the code data for display and the display image corresponding to the display code data are stored in the display pattern data memory of the hard disk.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the selected standard "CODE 128" is displayed in the standard name display area E1, and the valid data display area E2 corresponds to this standard "CODE 128". Read all valid data, that is, the numbers "0 to 9" and the alphabetic characters "A to Z,"
a to z ”and a plurality of symbols“ $,%, &, (,) ...
. "And multiple control codes" NUL, SOH, STX, ETX,
... "is displayed. At this time, the cursor K1 is displayed at the number "0", which is the first valid data. Similarly, S27 to S32 are repeatedly executed to input the bar code data, and when the end key is operated,
The process returns to S10. For example, valid data “A”,
When "B", "C", "2", "0", or "ACK" is selected, the bar code data "ABC20ACK" is stored in the text memory 41 and displayed in the bar code data display area E3. (See FIG. 10).

Next, in the tape print control, when the print key is operated (S10: Yes, S11 / S13: No,
S15: Yes), the printing process is executed (S16), and the process returns to S10. Further, when a printable key, a bar code key, or a key other than the print key is operated (S10: Yes, S11.S
13. S15: No), the process corresponding to the operated key is executed (S17) and the process returns to S10.

That is, in this print processing control, when the text memory 41 stores document data consisting of characters and symbols, print format information such as character size data and typeface number data stored in the print format memory 42. Based on the outline data in the font memory and the outline data in the font memory, the dot pattern data expanded and reduced to have a set character size is stored in the print buffer 43, and at the same time, the dot pattern data is used for communication. Interface 37 and connecting line L
And the document data is printed on the printing tape 8.

As described above, every time the bar code standard is selected, all the valid data of the selected standard is displayed on the CRT display 3. Therefore, the valid data used as the bar code data is Accurate and easy input is possible without making a mistake for each barcode standard, and the utilization efficiency of the barcode printing function can be improved. Further, each of the plurality of valid data displayed on the CRT display 3 is moved to the cursor K1 on the CRT display 3.
Since it can be selected and stored in the text memory 41 via the cursor K1, even if it is not only characters and symbols but also control codes that cannot be easily input from the keyboard 4, the cursor K1
Since it can be easily input via the control code, it is possible to easily and accurately input the bar code data of the standard "CODE 128" that uses the control code, and the standard bar code printing function that enables the control code input The utilization efficiency of can be improved.

Here, the correspondence between each means described in the claims and the configuration in the above-mentioned embodiment will be explained. The effective data storage means corresponds to the effective data table TB stored in the hard disk. The one corresponding to the selecting means is S20 / S21 of the bar code data input processing control, the cursor movement key provided on the keyboard 4, and the bar code standard selection screen displayed on the CRT display 3, Those corresponding to the valid data display control means are particularly S22 to S26 of the barcode data input processing control, and those corresponding to the barcode data input means are particularly S27 to S26 of the barcode data input processing control.
It is S32.

Incidentally, when the keys of the characters or symbols corresponding to the displayed plural valid data are operated in the bar code data input processing control, especially after S27, the code data of the characters or symbols are stored in the text memory 41. May be stored in and displayed in the barcode data display area E3. The valid data displayed on the CRT display 3 can be input by operating the touch keys attached to the screen of the CRT display 3. It should be noted that, within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, various modifications may be made to the control of the above-described embodiment based on existing technology or technology obvious to those skilled in the art.
It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to various bar code data input devices equipped with input means such as a display and a keyboard.

[0040]

As described above, according to the bar code input device of the first aspect, the valid data storage means, the selection means, and the valid data display control means are provided, and each time the bar code standard is selected. In addition, since all the valid data of the selected standard is displayed on the display, the valid data used as the barcode data can be entered accurately and easily without making a mistake for each barcode standard. , The barcode printing function can be effectively used.

According to the bar code input device of claim 2,
Further, since the bar code data input means for selecting each of the plurality of valid data displayed on the display through the cursor on the display and storing it in the data storage means, not only the characters and symbols but also the input means Even control codes that cannot be easily input can be easily input via the cursor, so standard barcode data using control codes can also be input easily and accurately without any error. The bar code printing function of the standard that can be input can be effectively used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configurations of claims 1 and 2. FIG.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tape printer.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a printing mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system of the tape printer.

FIG. 5 is a chart showing setting contents of a valid data table.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a tape print control routine.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a barcode data input processing control routine.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram of an input screen containing valid data of a bar code standard “UPC-A”.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of an input screen containing valid data of a bar code standard “CODE 39”.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram of an input screen including valid data of a bar code standard “CODE 128”.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Tape Printing Device 3 CRT Display 4 Keyboard 33 CPU 34 Hard Disk Drive Device 40 RAM 41 Text Memory C1 Control Device TB Effective Data Table

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A bar code input device comprising an input device capable of inputting character and symbol data, data storage means for storing bar code data input by the input device, and display means including a display. In each of the plurality of bar code standards, effective data consisting of a plurality of character and symbol codes used as bar code data and a plurality of control codes are grouped for each bar code standard and stored in advance. Valid data storage means, selection means for selecting one of the plurality of bar code standards, data of the standard selected by the selection means, and all valid data of the bar code of the standard Is read from the valid data storage means and displayed on the display of the display means. That bar code input device. 2. A bar code data input means for selecting each of a plurality of valid data displayed on the display through a cursor on the display and storing the selected data in the data storage means. Item 1. The barcode input device according to Item 1.